Anyone Take a Break from Training??

My motivation the past year or so has been waning. I'm not sure why. It could be because I've been constantly training for marathons for the past 10 years or so. Maybe I'm getting burnt out? I lie in bed most mornings cursing that I have to get up and run. Once I'm up I'm more or less fine but I also find I sometimes resent curtailing some other fun things over the weekends especially in order to get up and run the next day. My times have been slipping too despite hard training which makes it difficult to stay motivated. I also run alone now when I used to have a partner for long runs. On the other hand, I'm reluctant to give up the fitness that has taken me years and years to achieve. My paces right now are really good (for 51 year old me). Have any of you taken a break from marathon training? If so, for how long? How did it work out for you?

I guess it depends on what you mean by 'break' and 'training'. In the past few years my marathons have been about a year and a half apart, so I have spent a lot of time that isn't training for a marathon - but I still train for shorter races, and even when there is no race on the horizon I still run. I have gone through periods where I haven't run, or haven't run much, but that's typically because I'm doing something else which is occupying all my time and physical energy - for example, last summer we went to England and hiked the Coast to Coast trail for two weeks, plus spent another week being tourists. The previous November we spent three weeks rafting in the Grand Canyon.

I'm nearly your age, and so far I have not had any problems getting back to and surpassing my previous abilities...eventually. However, each time I start up again, I definitely feel creaky and slow!

If there are other things you'd rather do with your leisure time than run, why not cut back the running for a while and do those other things? When you miss running sufficiently, you can get back into it.

My motivation the past year or so has been waning. I'm not sure why. It could be because I've been constantly training for marathons for the past 10 years or so. Maybe I'm getting burnt out? I lie in bed most mornings cursing that I have to get up and run. Once I'm up I'm more or less fine but I also find I sometimes resent curtailing some other fun things over the weekends especially in order to get up and run the next day. My times have been slipping too despite hard training which makes it difficult to stay motivated. I also run alone now when I used to have a partner for long runs. On the other hand, I'm reluctant to give up the fitness that has taken me years and years to achieve. My paces right now are really good (for 51 year old me). Have any of you taken a break from marathon training? If so, for how long? How did it work out for you?

I would recommend reading chapter 7 "Lore of Running" by Noakes. My case too - days off and mind off running for awhile should help. Also explains why training harder and harder in many cases just make things worse and worse.

Constantly training for marathons gets stale. Have you thought about focusing on other distances for a while? Many marathoners (me included) spend the summer months running things like 5Ks, 10Ks, trails. You can get by with fewer miles and get more frequent racing 'hits' to keep you motivated.

I guess I have had some time off from marathon training as I had an injury over Xmas which put me on the elliptical for 2 months. Then I went back to 40 miles per week until mid June and started training again. Don't know why I'm feeling like this. I did some shorter races last year which was like a breath of fresh air cause they were over quickly (compared to a marathon) and I placed very well in my age group (which of course is probably directly related to my mileage and consistent training) which I rarely do when I run marathons. I think I get tired of working so hard and then things not coming together on race day.

My motivation the past year or so has been waning. I'm not sure why. It could be because I've been constantly training for marathons for the past 10 years or so. Maybe I'm getting burnt out? I lie in bed most mornings cursing that I have to get up and run. Once I'm up I'm more or less fine but I also find I sometimes resent curtailing some other fun things over the weekends especially in order to get up and run the next day. My times have been slipping too despite hard training which makes it difficult to stay motivated. I also run alone now when I used to have a partner for long runs. On the other hand, I'm reluctant to give up the fitness that has taken me years and years to achieve. My paces right now are really good (for 51 year old me). Have any of you taken a break from marathon training? If so, for how long? How did it work out for you?

I would recommend reading chapter 7 "Lore of Running" by Noakes. My case too - days off and mind off running for awhile should help. Also explains why training harder and harder in many cases just make things worse and worse.

Thanks. I've had that book for several years but not read it. I've just cracked it open at Chapter 7 and will read it. I'm already self-diagnosing myself with a possible case of the 'plods' or even 'super plods'... I need to go stay in a Holiday Inn Express so that I can figure this stuff out.

"It could be because I've been constantly training for marathons for the past 10 years or so. " Uhhm, ya think?! Nothing abnormal about that.

If you're a racer ... How bout training for something other than a marathon? The marathon used to be the be-all, end-all in running for me and I got burned out and times started fading. Started training for other distances (800m up to 1/2marathon) and wow, I had a brand new shiny running 'career'. Irony of ironies, now I run one marathon a year because well I don't know why but I do and I've set my all time PR at 50 when I don't even focus on the stupid race anymore. My previous PR was set when I was 39! I say screw the marathon cuz it sucks in so many ways. Run some distances that get you moving fast and that you can recover from quickly. You might like it. Bottom line: Different is good.

I'm pretty much taking time off right now from marathon training. I had a personal timeline and I wanted a full PR soon but injuries and time just didn't have it coming together, so I concentrated on a HM PR, and that actually took a few attempts, but it's easier to bounce back after a half. Since my last HM in June I haven't really done any speedwork and have just managed to get in 40 mpw one way or another, and I've actually enjoyed it.. I've enjoyed going out of town and running when I can but not stressing about a plan I'm on.

There's nothing wrong with taking some time off running or focusing on shorter distances.

There are plenty of ways to train and stay in shape that involve little or no running. I've taken a lot of years off from training for marathons. Been back for a while and may, once again, find something I'd rather do.

The marathon distance can be both physically and mentally demanding--the training generally much more than the actual race--but a bad race or two can be pretty demoralizing. I overtrained last summer in a last-ditch attempt to BQ for 2014 and had a lousy race back in September. I decided to take my time rebuilding my mileage and focus on local races, shorter distances. Doing well in these races helped reinstill my confidence and enjoyment of running and I decided to train for a Feb. marathon, which went well, and I was able to then gear my mileage back up and run a PR race by the end of May. This summer I've decided to keep the mileage at a manageable 40-50 mpw and I don't have a marathon slated until Feb. I like the mental and physical break and am no longer afraid of not being able to "climb back on the horse" so to speak.

2nd running life" PR's:

5K (4/5/14): 21:25 10K (2/27/16): 44:57 10 Miles (11/26/15): 1:13:34

Half Marathon (5/3/14):1:38:18Full Marathon (5/25/14):3:30:25

Running in memory of my Sister-in-Law Carol, who passed away Mother's Day 2013.

I think I'm also still chasing the Boston dream. I've made a few efforts at it recently and have come close on one occasion but been disappointed on most attempts. I think in the back of my mind is that if I can hang on and run a marathon in the fall of 2016, I'll gain 10 mins for 2018. That might be my best bet of ever qualifying. But it's probably crazy to be thinking that far head especially if I'm feeling burnt out now. Wonder how best to still hang onto that "plan" but dial it back in the mean time and maintain my fitness? It sure gets harder at this age (at least as a woman).

I take time off all the time. After my spring and fall marathons I take 2-4 weeks off, with no exercise other than walking. During each marathon training cycle I will usually take 5-7 days off somewhere after the halfway point. I'm not a high mileage runner to begin with, but it drops significantly in the summer. I highly recommend time off even when things are going well.

Ken - your suggestions are good ones and I tend to agree with your thoughts. You're still running one marathon a year, though, which is 4 months of dedicated training - that's significant.

I suppose it really depends on what you're running as base mileage year-round, but marathons merely run for the medal/shirt/bragging rights don't require a specific training cycle at all. This past spring I ran both a marathon and a 50K just based on base mileage of ~40mpw. I only do dedicated marathon training if I intend to race the marathon for time. If I don't care about time, I just sign up and show up - no special training needed.

"Pain is inevitable. Suffering is optional." Haruki Mirakami on running

Took 3yrs off between 2010-13 after burning out after my 2010 PR attempt. Still ran but focused more on stuff like weight training for a while. Now back training for marathon 4 since the break, and stronger than ever and training harder. No PR yet, but have a shot. I foresee myself taking a break again after my October race, but probably not so long!

Totally! After a PB and BQ in my marathon last fall at 50 yo, I am still running quite a bit, but not training really at all. Just lots of easy running, and some faster stuff when the legs feel up to it.

I'm at the age (51) where I know my best times are behind me, so I'm enjoying some other stuff. For example I entered my first trail race this summer, and I'll be pacing my second marathon this fall. I've also coached and volunteered at many events. This is all working to keep me in shape, healthy and happy.

I am also still qualified for Boston - so hope to get in with a -3:06 below BQ. That should keep me motivated through the winter. Then we'll see. I may not run any more marathons after that, but I never say never. I just have to have a reason for training and running them, otherwise they don't seem as meaningful any more.

I'm experiencing the same type of behaviours. I also felt I should take a break but after a relatively bad marathon at the end of May I decided to try for a fall marathon. I'm now struggling to keep up. I've tried a few things to motivate me but it's not that easy. I don't recognize myself and I'm starting to think that this could in fact be physical. Anemia is one possibility I'm starting to investigate. It is quite common among runners (endurance athlete) and at our age (I'm 56) it is quite possible. It leads to fatigue, elevated heart rate (during exercise), sometimes dizziness, and thus makes training "hell".

Have any of you experienced such state?... and could perhaps attribute this loss in "motivation"...

I'm experiencing the same type of behaviours. I also felt I should take a break but after a relatively bad marathon at the end of May I decided to try for a fall marathon. I'm now struggling to keep up. I've tried a few things to motivate me but it's not that easy. I don't recognize myself and I'm starting to think that this could in fact be physical. Anemia is one possibility I'm starting to investigate. It is quite common among runners (endurance athlete) and at our age (I'm 56) it is quite possible. It leads to fatigue, elevated heart rate (during exercise), sometimes dizziness, and thus makes training "hell".

Have any of you experienced such state?... and could perhaps attribute this loss in "motivation"...

I thought for sure I had anemia last summer (I don't eat red meat and thought that might have contributed). Turns out my thyroid was acting up, which may have also contributed to poor training and a poor marathon. I was totally drained and exhausted for a couple weeks to the point where I could barely get up and go to work and take care of my kids, let alone run. So blood tests are very important.

2nd running life" PR's:

5K (4/5/14): 21:25 10K (2/27/16): 44:57 10 Miles (11/26/15): 1:13:34

Half Marathon (5/3/14):1:38:18Full Marathon (5/25/14):3:30:25

Running in memory of my Sister-in-Law Carol, who passed away Mother's Day 2013.

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